Opec limits access to secretariat on coronavirus risk

Opec will deny journalists access to the secretariat in Vienna during its meetings this week to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

It has asked Opec+ members to keep delegations to a "bare minimum".

The secretariat aims to live broadcast the three opening sessions as well as the final briefing. Opec ministers will meet in Vienna on 5 March, followed by a meeting of the Opec+ group on 6 March, to decide whether to adjust production quotas to counter the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on global oil demand.

"The precautionary measure has become necessary due to the public health risk that would come from convening such a vast number of people in one place," Opec said in a statement. This follows the advice of the Austrian federal ministry for European and international affairs as well as an advisory note from UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, it said.

Iran's Opec governor Hossein Kazempour-Ardebili will not attend the meeting because of personal reasons.

By Rowena Edwards and Iain Packham

source: Argus Media